Striking the balance: exploring the influence of exercise quantity and intensity on quality-of-life outcomes

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends physical activity for a better quality of life (QoL). However, it is unknown if a lesser or an additional physical activity than the WHO recommendation impacts the QoL. The aim of the study was to verify whether people who engage in physical activity above or below the levels recommended by the WHO show differences in quality of life.

The International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to determine the PA characteristics, and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to QoL (SF-36 scores range from 0-100, and a higher score indicates better QoL). A total of 180 men (44.9 ± 14.5 years) were divided into: Group 1 (< 150 min moderate or < 75 min vigorous PA per week); Group 2 (150-600 min of moderate PA or 75-300 min of vigorous PA per week); and Group 3 (> 600 min moderate or > 300 min vigorous PA per week).

Group 1 presented significantly lower scores than Group 2 for the overall physical domain (mean difference = 15.5, 95% IC = 22.1 to 8.9, p < 0.001) and overall mental domain (mean difference = 19.1, 95% IC = 27.5 to 10.6, p < 0.001). Group 2 presented similar results to group 3 for the overall physical domain (mean difference = -0.5, 95% IC = 7.1 to -8.2, p = 1.00) and overall mental domain (mean difference = 3.1, 95% IC = 12.9 to -6.6, p =1.00).

Individuals who comply with the amount of weekly physical activity recommended by the WHO have better QoL (physical and mental) than those who do less physical activity than recommended; however, those who do much more physical activity than the recommended amount do not present additional benefits for QoL.